House Republicans Sue AG Holder Over ‘Fast And Furious’ Documents

by: August 13, 2012

House Republicans have gone through with their promise: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Eric Holder, claiming that he is under contempt for failing to turn over documents related to the failed gun-walking operation Fast and Furious.

“Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., ranking Democrat on the oversight committee, released a brief statement Monday chastising his GOP colleagues over the suit.

“‘It seems clear that House Republican leaders do not want to resolve the contempt issue and prefer to generate unnecessary conflict with the administration as the election nears,’ Cummings said. ‘Unfortunately, the American public suffers as House Republicans disregard the real work that needs to be done.'”

The chairman of the oversight committee Rep. Darrell Issa said in a statement today that this suit alleges President Obama has overstepped his authority by claiming privilege and is asking the court to compel Holder to produce the documents.

“After promising an unprecedented level of transparency, the President is attempting to expand the reach of executive privilege to obstruct the truth about the reckless conduct that contributed to the death of a Border Patrol Agent and countless Mexican citizens,” Issa said.

The Obama administration has repeatedly called this a politically motivated attack by Republicans.